Daily WHUFC News - 21st July 2014

Sadlier grateful for European challenges
WHUFC.com
Kieran Sadlier says facing top-class continental opposition this weekend can
only be of benefit
20.07.2014

Kieran Sadlier is looking for more of the same from the Development Squad
when they tackle their second game in 24 hours against Espanyol on Sunday
afternoon. Following Saturday's 0-0 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk to open the
Absolute Sports Travel Cup at Cambridge United's R Costings Abbey Stadium,
Sadlier hopes to end on a high against the Spanish side. All that was
missing from the Shakhtar contest was a Hammers goal, with Sadlier's shot
against the crossbar the closest that either team came, and the 19-year-old
is happy with how his pre-season is going so far. "I think everyone played
well on Saturday," he said. "I think the game was there to win, but in
pre-season it's not really about winning, it's about getting your fitness up
and getting [closer to][ how we want to play in the season. "The performance
was very good from every single player. The game was quite even and it was
similar to a U21 league match - they were a good team of a similar age to
us. We had some good chances and I think overall everyone got what they
wanted out of the game. "When I hit the bar I saw the keeper off his line
before I brought it down, so I thought I'd have a go and it was a bit
unlucky. I thought it hit the bar and went in, but it stayed out."
With Espanyol next up, Sadlier is looking forward to getting more minutes on
the pitch against a quality side. He added: "On Sunday, I think the ones who
played the last half hour will start, so it'll be the reverse of today's
team and we'll all get another good run out - hopefully we can get some
goals because that'll be good for our confidence."

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Hammers put four past Espanyol
WHUFc.com
Elliot Lee struck twice as the Development Squad saw off Espanyol 4-2 at the
R Costings Abbey Stadium
20.07.2014

Development Squad 4-2 RCD Espanyol
Absolute Sports Travel Cup

The Development Squad put four past their RCD Espanyol counterparts at
Cambridge United on Sunday, as the Hammers completed their involvement in
the Absolute Sports Travel Cup with a flourish. Following Saturday's
goalless draw against Shakhtar Donetsk, there was no shortage of goalmouth
action this time round. Paul McCallum's first-half spot-kick cancelled out
Ivan Sales' opener for the Spaniards, before Elliot Lee finished off a fine
team move to fire Nick Haycock's men in front. Once Jose Antonio Raillo had
levelled matters with another excellent strike, it was one way traffic, as
Lee nodded home his second and Josh Cullen got in on the act with a fourth.
West Ham were good value for the victory and had gone close to breaking the
deadlock in the 15th minute. Centre-half Emmanuel Onariase nodded Nathan
Mavila's free-kick back across the six-yard box, where Jamie Harney's
point-blank header was smothered by Nestor Diaz. The opener came with 27
minutes gone and, arguably, against the run of play. Pol Mikel Lirola was
afforded too much space on the right and duly picked out Sales, whose
side-footed effort bobbled into the far corner.

The Hammers, however, were only behind for a matter of seconds. Djair
Parfitt-Williams slid a neat ball into the feet of McCallum, who, with his
back to goal, was rashly upended. Referee Darren Deadman pointed to the spot
and McCallum converted in style, slotting home to the keeper's right.
Espanyol, meanwhile, might have retaken the lead in the half's final
seconds, but Tim Brown dove to his right to claw away substitute Julian
Luque's free-kick. The Spaniards had the first sight of goal after the break
too, as Luque's near-post corner fell at the feet of Hector Rodriguez, but
he blazed over the bar. Then, as they did on Saturday, West Ham shuffled the
entire pack on the hour, with Saturday's starters all joining the fray. And
it had the desired effect, with the Hammers netting three times in the
following 12 minutes. Lee, fresh from a late double at Havant and
Waterlooville, began the goal flurry, collecting from Sebastian Lletget
before unleashing a delightful curler into the far corner. As West Ham had
done earlier in the piece, Espanyol responded in kind, squaring things up
with 66 minutes gone. The ball was teed up for Raillo on the edge of the
box, who clinically slammed beyond Brown. But back came West Ham, through
that man Lee again. After Sam Westley's diving header at the back post had
thudded off the bar, the prolific Lee reacted first to nod home the rebound.
And the goals kept on coming, as Cullen seized on a loose ball to see a
looping header drift beyond Diaz and nestle nicely in the opposite corner.
West Ham's fourth rounded off an excellent afternoon for Haycock's charges,
who return to action at Sutton United on Wednesday evening.

West Ham United: Brown (Boness 71), Knoyle (Westley 60), Mavila ( Page 60),
Onariase (Burke 60), Harney (Oxford 60), Makasi (Cullen (60), Nasha (Bywater
60), Trialist (Lletget 60), Parfitt-Williams (Sadlier 60), Amoo (Gordon 35),
(Turgott 60), (Pike 74), McCallum (Lee 60).

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Warm welcome for the Hammers
WHUFc.com
West Ham United's first training session in New Zealand attracted a huge
turnout on Sunday
20.07.2014

West Ham United's first Open Training session in New Zealand proved a huge
success as fans flocked to North Harbour Stadium. Supporters from all over
the world - including the Auckland-based great, great, great grandson of the
Club's founder Arnold Hills - watched the Hammers be put through their paces
before taking the opportunity to meet their heroes. While the squad went
through a series of drills, the fans showed their support by cheering loudly
and singing a stirring rendition of 'Bubbles', which was greatly appreciated
by Joint-Chairman David Gold, manager Sam Allardyce and his staff and
players. For many of the several hundred in attendance, the Open Training
session represented a unique opportunity to see a Barclays Premier League in
the flesh, while for others it formed the first part of their
once-in-a-lifetime trip to the other side of the world. Kiwi Gerald Smith
may have lived in New Zealand for his entire life, but his family history
records that he is the great, great, great grandson of the founder of the
Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company and its football team, Arnold
Hills.

"I've lived in New Zealand all my life but my parents are English and on my
mother's side, she was a Warner and one of my cousins was a director of West
Ham United until the 2000s," said Smith, who was joined at North Harbour by
wife Tresna, son Timothy and daughter Lucy. "My mother's mother was a Hills
and her grandfather was Arnold Hills, the founder of the Club and also the
founder of the Thames Ironworks. I'm definitely a fan because of my family
links, but Wednesday [versus Wellington Phoenix in Auckland] will be the
first time I've actually been to a West Ham game. "When we won the FA Cup in
1980, my cousins sent me postcards and scarves, so this is really just
re-establishing my association with the Club. The associations I've heard of
him through the family are strong. My grandmother was a vegetarian and
that's because he was a vegetarian, too. "I've visited my family in London a
few times, but I've never actually been to the West Ham stadium, so we'll
definitely all come over soon to watch a game."

Following the successful session, the squad happily signed autographs and
posed for photographs, while six players - Adrian, James Tomkins, Guy Demel,
Mo Diame, Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate - remained on the pitch to take
part in a community football session with local youngsters. The community
session was organised by the Wellington Phoenix in partnership with their
sponsors Huawei, the Chinese networking and telecommunications company.
Huawei's director of public affairs Andrew Bowater said everyone connected
with the company in New Zealand had been looking forward to West Ham's
visit. "We've got our partnership with the Wellington Phoenix here in New
Zealand and, as part of that, we like to get our community involvement
going," he explained. "So, as soon as we heard West Ham were coming down, we
were keen to build on that connection through the games with Premier League
clubs which are going on here. "As much as possible, we try to link the
Phoenix with their fans, so the community programme is very important to us.
We want to bring fans closer to the game. "One thing about New Zealand is
that people generally think of rugby, but football is the sport most kids
play at weekends. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the
excitement around seeing the kids playing football with Premier League
players is great for us. New Zealand has strong connections with West Ham
and those will only go stronger through events like this one."

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Charlton lead race for West Ham goalkeeper Stephen Henderson
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 20/07/14
10:13am
SSN

Sky Sports understands Charlton are closing in on the signing of West Ham
goalkeeper Stephen Henderson. The likes of Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town
have been linked with moves for Henderson, but Charlton are now believed to
be leading the race for the Irishman. Highly-rated Henderson has found
himself down the pecking order at West Ham, with Spanish keeper Adrian and
Jussi Jaaskelainen ahead of him in Sam Allardyce's plans. Henderson, who has
made just two appearances for West Ham, has impressed during loan stints at
Ipswich and Bournemouth during the past two seasons. Charlton are in the
market for a new keeper after seeing Ben Hamer leave for Leicester and
Henderson is thought to have emerged as their top target. Should Charlton
land Henderson his arrival will come as a boost to new boss Bob Peeters as
he continues his plans ahead of the new season.

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REID COY OVER WEST HAM FUTURE
By Sean Whetstone 20 Jul 2014 at 12:30
West Ham Till I Die

After nearly 32 hours of Travelling from London Heathrow to Auckland New
Zealand via Dubai and Sydney the last thing you probably what to do is
attend a press conference, but that was the fate for Sam Allardyce, Kevin
Nolan and Winston Reid on Saturday afternoon. When Reid was asked whether it
was good to be back home he answered: "The weather's a bit crap". When asked
if he has signed a new contract he looked uncomfortable,looked away and
muttered, "No, not yet" I am no body language expert but it was really a
question he didn't want asked and didn't want to answer. Sam Allardyce had
no such issues explaining why he wants to keep Reid. "Today there's pretty
much a shortage of anybody who plays in a central defensive role that
actually commits to the defensive part of his game first," Joint Chairman
David Gold added: "Sure he'd like to play for Barcelona and so would all the
rest of the footballers in the world, or Manchester United, but we're very
hopeful that Winston Reid will be a West Ham player for years to come," Reid
is thought to have been offered a £60,000 per week deal to sign a new 5 year
contract. It is understand he has until he returns back to the UK to make up
his mind.

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West Ham chief glad Andy Carroll was not in England's World Cup squad this
summer
Jul 20, 2014 22:00 By Darren Lewis
David Sullivan expecting a big season from the fit-again striker who will
have a full pre-season rather than turning up late after international duty
The Mirror

West Ham supremo David Sullivan is pleased their striker Andy Carroll was
left out of England's World Cup squad this summer. The Hammers'
joint-chairman has also tipped the 25-year-old - signed for £15.5million
from Liverpool last summer - to "get his act together" next season. Carroll
had to wait until January of this year to make his first appearance of the
2013-14 season because of a lengthy injury. He went on to help West Ham save
themselves from relegation.
But with just two goals in 16 appearances, Carroll was not selected by Roy
Hodgson for the Three Lions' ill-fated trip to Brazil. Sullivan, however,
believes the hitman's best is yet to come. He is convinced that, with a full
pre-season - including the squad's current trip to New Zealand - under his
belt, Carroll will prove his doubters wrong. He said: "I still think Andy
Carroll will come good. He didn't have a pre-season last year. He never
really got his act together because of that and I think you'll see a much
better player next season. It was a fair decision [leaving Carroll out of
the England squad] based on what he did last season. He didn't do enough
when he came back. "There were a few games he was devastating in - against
Swansea he set up both of Kevin Nolan's goals - but he knows he didn't do
enough to play for England. "And I'm glad he is not playing for England. I
don't want him arriving three weeks late because he has been in Rio all
summer, particularly on the fringes of the squad not playing or not doing
hard training. "I'm pleased he wasn't with England this summer. His time
will come."

Meanwhile, the Hammers have offered exciting young defender Reece Oxford
their biggest deal for any player under 20 in a bid to keep him. Manchester
United are circling for the 15-year-old centre-back, who has been likened to
Rio Ferdinand. Talks have already been opened with Oxford's representatives
as West Ham bid to convince the 6ft 3in starlet his future lies at Upton
Park. Earlier this month, Sullivan hit out at the rules that allow big clubs
to poach the Hammers youngsters for minimal compensation. Arsenal raided
Upton Park recently to poach 16-year-old Ben Sheaf - regarded as one of the
best young midfielders in the country. Sullivan told Mirrorsport: "It almost
makes you give up on having an academy if they can come in and nick your
best 15-year-old. What's the point?"

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West Ham hoping to keep 15-year-old Reece Oxford as Manchester United show
interest
Oxford has played for the West Ham u-18 side
Arsenal and Chelsea also interested in the defender
Hammers may fast-track the youngster to keep him happy
By JOHN DRAYTON
PUBLISHED: 16:50, 20 July 2014 | UPDATED: 16:50, 20 July 2014
Daily Mail

West Ham are stepping up their attempts to secure the long-term future of
wonderkid Reece Oxford as Manchester United launch a bid to sign the
youngster.
The Hammers are desperate to keep hold of the 15-year-old from the clutches
of the Premier League's elite. West Ham will open talks with Oxford's
representatives over an improved deal at Upton Park, which could see the
defender fast-tracked into the senior set-up. But Oxford has serious options
to choose from, with United the latest club to show a firm interest in the
teenager. Arsenal and Chelsea are also keen on the youngster, but United are
thought to be leading the race for Oxford should he decide to quite the
Hammers. Speaking earlier this month co-owner David Sullivan spoke of the
club's intention to keep Oxford and blasted England's top sides for
continually poaching the lesser clubs' best talent. 'It almost makes you
give up on having an academy if they can come in and nick your best
15-year-old. What's the point?,' Sullivan said. The England Under-16
international has already trained with the club's first team and can expect
more senior opportunities at Upton Park next season. Despite being 15, he
has already turned out for West Ham's Under-18s side, as well as their U15s
and U16s.

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Hammers harden AC stance with Newcastle
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 20, 2014 in Whispers

Claret & Hugh

West Ham have sent a 'hands off' message to Newcastle over a possible Andy
Carroll bid. Earlier today sources inside Upton Park responded to a national
newspaper story that the the north-eastern club were considering making a
£15 million bid by saying there had been no enquiries for the Geordie
striker.A source told ClaretandHugh there had been no bid and that this is
a story which keeps repeating itself anyway. However, the Irons' position
has hardened during the day and we have learned since that no bid will be
considered for the No 9. We were told by a highly placed source: "It's
almost a given they would want him cheaply. But the truth is that Andy
Carroll is not for sale at any price' and there is no point in Newcastle or
any other club trying!"

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